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Knowledge transfer between marketing functions in multinational companies: a conceptual model

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  • Schlegelmilch, Bodo B.
  • Chini, Tina Claudia

Abstract

A key competitive advantage of multinational companies lies in their ability to exploit locally created knowledge worldwide. This implies that such companies have to be able to transfer knowledge within organizational networks characterized by separation through time, space, culture and language. Given the pivotal importance of knowledge transfer for the competitiveness of multinationals, it is remarkable that the process of transferring knowledge effectively across dispersed units of multinational corporations has only attracted little and rather fragmented research interest. What appears to be missing is a unifying framework that serves as a basis for a research agenda. Our paper aims to develop such a framework. Specifically, we propose a conceptual model of knowledge transfer between marketing functions within multinationals and advance research propositions for future empirical testing.

Suggested Citation

  • Schlegelmilch, Bodo B. & Chini, Tina Claudia, 2003. "Knowledge transfer between marketing functions in multinational companies: a conceptual model," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 12(2), pages 215-232, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:iburev:v:12:y:2003:i:2:p:215-232
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    2. Phookan, Himadree & Sharma, Revti Raman, 2021. "Subsidiary power, cultural intelligence and interpersonal knowledge transfer between subsidiaries within the multinational enterprise," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 27(4).
    3. Cristina López-Duarte & Marta M. Vidal-Suárez & Belén González-Díaz & Nuno Rosa Reis, 2016. "Understanding the relevance of national culture in international business research: a quantitative analysis," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 108(3), pages 1553-1590, September.
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    5. Petra Ahrweiler & Michel Schilperoord & Nigel Gilbert & Andreas Pyka, 2012. "Simulating the Role of MNCs for Knowledge and Capital Dynamics in Networks of Innovation," Chapters, in: Martin Heidenreich (ed.), Innovation and Institutional Embeddedness of Multinational Companies, chapter 6, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    6. Su, Cong & Kong, Lingshuang & Ciabuschi, Francesco & Holm, Ulf, 2020. "Demand and willingness for knowledge transfer in springboard subsidiaries of Chinese multinationals," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 109(C), pages 297-309.
    7. Anca Mandruleanu, 2012. "The Organisational Culture – An Integrator For Developing Iintellectual Capital In Private Companies," Journal of Knowledge Management, Economics and Information Technology, ScientificPapers.org, vol. 2(4), pages 1-5, August.
    8. Chong Choi & Sae Kim, 2008. "Women and Globalization: Ethical Dimensions of Knowledge Transfer in Global Organizations," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 81(1), pages 53-61, August.
    9. Maria Adenfelt & Katarina Lagerström, 2008. "The development and sharing of knowledge by Centres of Excellence and transnational teams: A conceptual framework," Management International Review, Springer, vol. 48(3), pages 319-338, May.
    10. Michailova, Snejina & Mustaffa, Zaidah, 2012. "Subsidiary knowledge flows in multinational corporations: Research accomplishments, gaps, and opportunities," Journal of World Business, Elsevier, vol. 47(3), pages 383-396.
    11. Schmid, Stefan & Schurig, Andreas, 2003. "The development of critical capabilities in foreign subsidiaries: disentangling the role of the subsidiary's business network," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 12(6), pages 755-782, December.
    12. Persson, Magnus, 2006. "The impact of operational structure, lateral integrative mechanisms and control mechanisms on intra-MNE knowledge transfer," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(5), pages 547-569, October.
    13. McGuinness, Martina & Demirbag, Mehmet & Bandara, Sasanka, 2013. "Towards a multi-perspective model of reverse knowledge transfer in multinational enterprises: A case study of Coats plc," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 179-195.
    14. L. Felipe Monteiro & Niklas Arvidsson & Julian Birkinshaw, 2008. "Knowledge Flows Within Multinational Corporations: Explaining Subsidiary Isolation and Its Performance Implications," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 19(1), pages 90-107, February.
    15. Schleimer, Stephanie C. & Coote, Leonard V. & Riege, Andreas, 2014. "Headquarters to subsidiary transfer effects on marketing strategy exploitation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 67(3), pages 307-315.
    16. Vlad ROªCA, 2014. "A Model for Eliciting Expert Knowledge into Sports-Specific Knowledge Management Systems," REVISTA DE MANAGEMENT COMPARAT INTERNATIONAL/REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL COMPARATIVE MANAGEMENT, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 15(1), pages 57-68, March.
    17. Adenfelt, Maria & Lagerström, Katarina, 2006. "Knowledge development and sharing in multinational corporations: The case of a centre of excellence and a transnational team," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(4), pages 381-400, August.
    18. Yang Liu, 2019. "Promoting cross-border knowledge transfer for new product development in MNCs: a process view," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 802-821, June.
    19. Foroudi, Pantea & Gupta, Suraksha & Patel, Parth & Batsakis, Georgios & Vaatanen, Juha & Czinkota, Michael, 2023. "The effect of home country characteristics on the internationalization of EMNEs: The moderating role of knowledge stock," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2).
    20. Crespo, Cátia Fernandes & Crespo, Nuno Fernandes & Curado, Carla, 2022. "The effects of subsidiary’s leadership and entrepreneurship on international marketing knowledge transfer and new product development," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 31(2).
    21. Worthington, William J. & Collins, Jamie D. & Hitt, Michael A., 2009. "Beyond risk mitigation: Enhancing corporate innovation with scenario planning," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 52(5), pages 441-450, September.
    22. Cerrato, Daniele, 2006. "The multinational enterprise as an internal market system," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(3), pages 253-277, June.

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